Heroic 16-year-old lifeguard rescues child from monster surf in heart-stopping video

A frantic rescue unfolded at a Santa Cruz beach when a child was swept into powerful, tsunami-like waves, prompting a teenage lifeguard to dive into the life-threatening surf.

The lifeguard — whom witnesses said carried out one of the most heroic rescues they had ever seen — was identified as just a 16-year-old high school student, according to local outlet NBC Bay Area. A woman who claimed to be the teenager’s mother said on social media that the lifeguard's name is Ryder.

The young child Ryder rescued is believed to be about 10 years old, according to the report.

Video capturing the terrifying rescue shows multiple beachgoers, along with a second lifeguard, trying to enter the water. Many appeared to be quickly overwhelmed as the massive waves engulfed everyone.

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